2018-19 Timeline for Choosing an Elementary/Middle School

It’s never too soon to start looking for the right school. Some schools require you to apply nearly a full year before the start of the school year. This is the case with all of the School District of Philadelphia’s citywide- and special-admission middle schools. Some schools also have an extensive admissions process.

For the 2017-18 school year, the district’s School Selection Process will include neighborhood schools with available seats and citywide/special-admission middle schools. The application for this process will be online only. Computer kiosks will be available for families who do not have internet access at regionally based Learning Network Offices and the Office of Student Enrollment and Placement, located at 440 North Broad Street, Suite 111. Parents can also utilize computer resources at their local Free Library branch.

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Two to Three Years Before Enrolling in Kindergarten (children ages 2-3)

Two Years Before Enrolling in Kindergarten

Attend open houses to tour and gain information about the schools. These events are usually held in the spring.

Visit the schools that seem as though they might be a good fit and speak with principals, teachers, and parents. Use our guide to school visits for sample questions and tips.

The Year Before Enrolling in Kindergarten/Middle School or Changing Schools

September-November

Schools work with students to review their academic records and admissions criteria (if any) at various schools. The district's elementary and middle school list can be found at philasd.org/offices/studentplacement.

The School Selection student application will be available at schoolselect.philasd.org from September 29, 2017 to November 13, 2017. District students will be able to access the application through the parent/student online portal by entering their student ID and password. Non-district students will be able to access the application through a link on the main page of the district’s website. Students can select up to five schools.

Counselors and teachers may hold information sessions to help parents and students choose schools and complete the online student application. Parents should ask principals for information about assistance in completing the online student application.

Private schools (independent and Catholic) begin to hold open houses.

October–November

Charter schools have separate application forms and deadlines for entering admissions lotteries, but some have elected to accept a standard application. The Philadelphia Charter School Standard Application for the 2018-19 school year is available for download here.

Attend the 2017 Philly K-8 Fair on October 7, 2017 from 10 am to 2 pm at St. Joseph's Prep to speak with representatives from District, charter, and private schools and learn more about your K-8 options.

Attend the 2017 West Philly Kindergarten & Early Childhood Education Fairon October 21, 2017 from 11 am to 2 pm at the West Philadelphia Community Center. The Fair is an opportunity for West Philadelphia families to speak with representatives from quality kindergarten, preschool, and childcare centers near them to learn about their options.

Children's Scholarship Fund holds its first scholarship lottery on September 20, 2017 at their Application Launch party for parents considering private K-8 schools. The application period for CSFP scholarships for the 2018-19 school year will officially re-open after the launch party on September 20, 2017.

By November 13

The District's School Selection application is due November 13, 2017 at 5 pm. Families are encouraged to not wait until the last day; opening an account in the SDP portal takes multiple days to finalize. Once a family opens an account, they will have to wait a few days for a confirmation email. If a family opens an account the day the application is due, they will not get the confirmation email in time to submit their application. Learn more about how to apply to a District school.

Any parent wishing to enroll in aDistrict kindergarten program other than his/her neighborhood schoolmust apply using the district's online application at schoolselect.philasd.org by November 13. Only schools with additional space will be accepting applications.

Non-district students who applied to district middle schools with admissions criteria must deliver transcripts and any required supplemental materials, such as essays, directly to the schools.

Any other students looking to transfer between district schools must also fill out the district's transfer application at schoolselect.philasd.org. Only schools with additional space will be accepting transfer applications.

December-February

Schools with admissions criteria begin to evaluate applications and conduct interviews and auditions.

Citywide middle schools choose the students who qualify to enter into the admissions lottery.

The district’s Office of Student Enrollment and Placement and Office of Information Technology run three separate computerized lotteries (for general education, special education and ELL) for acceptance to citywide and neighborhood schools.

Charter school application deadlines begin. Charter schools following the January standard deadline will close their application periods on January 31, 2018. See a full list of charter school deadlines here. Over 80 charter schools will be accepting the Charter School Standard Application. For the application and a full list of participating schools, click here.

Some charter schools will hold their lotteries during this time and notify parents of their application status.

Charter schools with the standard deadline of January 31, 2018 will hold their lotteries no later than February 28, 2018.